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New Mosque Opened by World Muslim Leader in Gillingham

Nasir Mosque inaugurated by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat is pleased to announce that on 1 March 2014, its world leader, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Fifth Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, inaugurated the Nasir Mosque in Gillingham, Kent.

Upon arriving at the premises, His Holiness officially inaugurated the Mosque by unveiling a commemorative plaque and then offering a silent prayer in thanks to God Almighty.

Later, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad held an audience with the local Ahmadi Muslims, in which he said:

“The way to fulfil the rights of this Mosque is by being regular in prayer, developing a relationship with God Almighty and spreading a spirit of love amongst the local community. The local people should come to see how you care for them and fulfil their rights”

In the evening, a special reception, attended by more than 180 dignitaries and guests, was held to mark the opening of the Mosque.

The highlight of the event was the keynote address delivered by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad during which he explained the Islamic concept of worship; the need to support the most vulnerable members of society; the rights of neighbours and the importance of justice at all levels.

“I, and indeed every true Muslim, have been clearly commanded that merely physically prostrating or bowing or crossing our arms or repeating certain prescribed prayers do not fulfill the true objectives of worship.”

Continuing, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“A person’s prayers will not be accepted if they do not seek to help the poor and deprived. A person’s prayers will not be accepted if they are not fulfilling the rights of orphans. A person’s prayers will not be accepted if they are not striving to end all forms of slavery. And a person’s prayers will not be accepted if they do not show mercy to one another and indeed to all forms of God’s Creation.”

Speaking about the new Mosque, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“This Mosque has been named the ‘Nasir Mosque’ and ‘Nasir’ means ‘one who helps’. As such, this Mosque is not only a place of worship where worshippers will come to beseech God’s Help, but it is also a meeting place for people who wish to serve others and to help those who are suffering and are in any kind of need.”

The world leader spoke of how both at an individual level and a national level there were people and nations consumed by lifelong debt. He said such debt was a means of enslaving people and nations to the will of their powerful lenders.

Speaking about how the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was seeking to help those inflicted by this “modern form of slavery”, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“At present the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community does not have the resources to free those nations which are consumed by debt and who as a result have found themselves practically enslaved by the richer countries and forced to follow their policies. But certainly we do attempt to make major nations and organisations realise that they must allow every individual and every nation to enjoy the right to live with liberty and freedom and the key to this lies in the establishment of justice and equality.”

The Khalifa concluded by pledging that the people who entered the new Mosque would be peaceful, law-abiding and those who championed human rights and values.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“This Mosque, that is being inaugurated today, will be filled by those people who will not only fulfill the rights of God, but will also be those who hold a passionate desire to serve humanity…

This is the reason the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community raises its voice loud and clear calling for justice at all levels so that the peace and security of the world may be secured and personal enmities, grievances and distances can all be transformed into a close bond of mutual love.”

Earlier in the evening a number of dignitaries addressed the event.

Viscount De Lisle MBE, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Kent said:

“The Muslim faith is alive and well and flourishing here in Kent and your motto of ‘Love for All Hatred for None’ is one that we should all aspire to. I am certain that this Mosque will stand the test of time and come to serve many generations.”

Councillor Josie Iles, the Mayor of Medway said:

“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community underlines the essence of our local motto which is ‘forward together’. As you open the doors of your Mosque I know it will beam out your cohesive message.”

Rehman Chishti, MP Gillingham and Rainham said:

“This is a fantastic Mosque where the entire community can come together. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has contributed so much to local life here in this area.”

Brigadier D W Southall OBE, Commandant The Royal School of Military Engineering Group said:

“I would like to thank the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for the support you have given to our servicemen and servicewomen through your charity collections. Certainly it is a great honour for me to be part of your Mosque inauguration.”

Prior to the reception, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad also held a meeting with various local dignitaries and guests.

The site of the Nasir Mosque has been used by the local Ahmadiyya Muslim Community as a prayer hall since 1975 but due to a desire of the local members to have a purpose-built Mosque the hall was demolished and thereafter construction of the new Mosque began in July 2012.